The Firstlings

Aaron stood frozen, reeling from the beast’s horrible growls, as a dark aura spread from its towering form. He watched Bently charging forward, his sword wrapped in a green aura with golden sparks, as he roared in challenge.

Bently’s power converged on his weapon as the world trembled, and he could feel through the Vassal Bond that the man was using most of his power in that single swing. Aaron knew that his core was superior, so its reserves were rather large, and what was brought forth was frightening.

A huge pillar of mana shot from the blade, appearing like a wall with arcs of golden lightning crackling across its surface. It moved forward, tearing a trench in the ground with a howl of its own as it bore down on the massive terror. Aaron burst into action as he darted to the side, attempting to flank the beast as Bently’s wall of power moved in, but his steps faltered when it reared back and released a shout of its own.

A single bark.

The bark was a wretched sound that seemed to come from the beast’s soul as it rippled through the clearing, carrying dark clouds of aura. A force of black mana shot from its maw and collided with the wall of green and gold, and silence fell as the air shimmered.

Then a deafening clap.

As the energies converged, they exploded with tremendous force, knocking Aaron back, tumbling on the ground, ears ringing. Coughing and sputtering, he jumped back to his feet to see the beast charging forward as mana still sent sparks through the air.

Bently tried to sidestep the beast as it lunged, swiping with dreadful claws covered in its dark aura. He used his large sword to block a frightening swing and got launched back through the clearing, digging up chunks of the ground when he hit.

Aaron darted in trying to gain on the beast while he was occupied with Bently and gripped his sword tight when it tuned to face him and charged, eyes burning with rage and hunger. He clenched his teeth, ready for an all-out brawl, thinking that it was probably the dumbest thing to do.

As they collided, the beast lunged and chomped down, trying to bite him in half. He rolled forward narrowly, escaping the dagger-like teeth, feeling its hot breath on his face as he jumped high and activated [Deadly Hands]. Swinging with all his strength, he struck out, aiming for its eye. The beast yelped, turning as the corrupted head moved in crazy-eyed with its tongue hanging.

Aaron shivered at the gross sludge dripping from the foul appendage and activated [Deadly Strike]. Using over half of his mana reserves, pulling even more from the Bond, he swung his blade. A golden pillar of mana shot out and struck the corrupted head, sending it reeling back as it whined and growled, a huge wound down the side of its face dripping ichor.

The dominant head roared in rage as it lunged, snapping at Aaron in a fit of madness. He flipped and rolled, dancing nimbly as he scrambled to stay out of reach of the horrible maw. The beast stomped as it snapped at him, sending chunks of rock and dirt into the air. Aaron darted past another chomp and crouched low as the beast swiped forward with its massive claws. Ducking under the swing, his heart raced as the air from the massive paw almost bowed him over.

The strength of that swing sent fear through him.

One swing was all it would take to end him for good, and shivers went down his spine.

Dancing and pacing the beast, his breath caught in his throat as he slipped on a piece of debris tumbling to the side and stared in horror at the teeth about to clamp down, taking full advantage of his blunder. He was shocked, however, when it reared back, growling in pain. Glancing behind the beast, he saw grey eyes in the shadows below it, and a dagger plunged into its back leg.

‘It was so awesome having siblings!' He roared in triumph as he jumped back to his feet, hearing a bellow ring out.

Bently jumped onto the beast’s back and plunged his sword deep into its shoulder as it roared in pain. Rising tall, it fell, stomping and sending a ripple through the ground as huge chunks of stone and dirt were tossed. Bently was thrown back as Aaron was sent tumbling and flying.

Striking the ground hard, he coughed, choking on debris, trying to shake off his dizziness. Climbing back to his feet, he saw the Great Beast stalking Bently as he scrambled to get back. His weapon was still lodged in the vile thing, so he was unarmed and looked to be in bad shape.

Aaron growled as he moved in swiftly, refusing to let the big man die here. Bearing down on the beast, he threw a dagger and was pleasantly surprised when it stuck in its snout as it shook its head, growling in pain. He came to Bently’s side as he was rising to his feet and tossed him another small dagger.

His brother Garin had made him promise to always keep one tucked away, so he carried a few small blades. Aaron wasn’t very good at throwing them, but he was more than grateful in this moment for having listened.

They danced back as the Great Beast swiped and stomped in fury, but Aaron's eyes went wide when it crouched, looking as if to be taking a massive breath. He knew with terror in his heart what was coming and immediately activated [Deadly Strike]. Pushing all the power from his core, even pulling everything he could from the Bond, he charged his blade.

A dark aura converged in the beast’s mouth as it reared for another bark. Aaron kept pushing everything he had, hoping beyond hope that it was enough. Just as the beast started to lean forward, a song rang out, striking the battlefield like a cry from the heavens.

Sister had arrived.

Ciel stood at the side of the clearing as she rolled her song forward, striking the beast with all the power she could muster. The sound was a shrill, discordant sound that sent the Great Beast reeling and trembling in a stupor. Growls and whimpers rang from the beast as it fought back, attempting to shake the dizziness.

Aaron wasted no time and dashed under the beast’s front paws, directly below its chest, and plunged upward with [Deadly Strike]. He lodged his blade deep into its flesh as golden lightning rippled through the beast’s body.

It roared as it lurched back, scrambling to get back from the deadly pain that assaulted it. He rolled, trying to get out from under the beast, but was clipped by its mad scramble and flew back, gashes streaking down his shoulder.

Ciel continued to sing her song as it crazily tried to drag itself backwards. The beast’s heads began to droop as blood poured from the dreadful wounds on its body. A blade was still stuck in its shoulder and one in its chest as it gasped for breath. The Great Beast slowly began to run out of strength, and with a final growl, it fell to the side, struggling to breathe. Aaron carefully crept forward to the dominant head and looked into its eyes.

And his stomach lurched.

It was the eyes of an ancient beast full of wisdom and pride. Gone was the murderous gaze of hunger and madness, as if clarity had returned for that final moment. Aaron stared into its eyes as the Great Beast stared back and slowly took its last breath.

They had won.

But he didn’t feel that way.

Aaron couldn’t help but feel that something majestic had fought to exist, and although it was a predator, it didn't necessarily make it evil. It only did what was in its nature, and what it had become was the consequence of that nature being corrupted, making anger simmer in his gut. He looked around as droves of beasts began to pass, running into the wild with fearful whimpers, no longer having murderous urges.

Bently came beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. The big guy looked to have a broken arm and a nasty gash on his thigh. Cradling his own shoulder, he walked through the clearing and found Garin in a pile, still breathing, with a gash down his side.

He looked up, hearing shouts and cheers from the soldiers, and smiled at the sound. The sound of hope and joy rang through the melancholy in his heart. It almost felt like a new beginning, even though he seemed to have had a lot of those lately.

Glancing at the dark cloud above, he could tell some of the beasts weren’t so willing to run off. The scavengers would wait it out to feast on the dead as soon as they got the chance. He chuckled, walking forward as soldiers began to advance on their positions.

Aaron stood beside Bently and Ciel as the army arrived and took over the scene. He was getting treatment from one of the soldiers when he heard a shout and turned to see Bently tossing him something that was round. He caught it, looking down in surprise at the orb he held in his hand.

The Great Beast Core.

[Orb of Orthus]

“The core of a Named Beast."